A diary and a bull

I begin my effort in getting used to control both bodies at the same time that very morning. As I am slowly eating the food that Lillias brought for me, I use Akemi's body to inspect her room some more. My arousal is long gone due to the embarrassment I felt, so I didn't get to have a release on either of the bodies. But the experience also remind me to focus on my mission and I should not indulge myself in my selfish desire too much.

The double vision I got starts to become unbearable after half an hour or so, making my head(s) dizzy. But I have to **** myself to get used to this, lest I found myself in situations where I have to absolutely control both bodies. While my real body is 'enjoying' the tasteless hard bread and a cup of milk in the inn, Akemi is rummaging through her wardrobe. I am not looking for something to wear, I've already worn her priestess outfit after all. No, I'm trying to find more clues for her private life. If I can find a more personal journal or diary, I can read through it and understand Akemi's personality, know her daily activities, as well as get to know more of Thresford in general. However, the wardrobe contains nothing aside from clothes, both casual and her formal priestess outfit.

I stop looking in the wardrobe and scan the rest of the room. Where else can Akemi keep a diary in this room? I keep looking until my breakfast on the other side has long gone, but I still can't find it. Feeling frustrated, I lift Akemi's pillow to throw it on the wall, but right at that moment I notice something. The pillow is quite heavy, and after some inspection it actually holds something in there. Opening the seam, only hastened by a simple knot, I remove the thing hidden between the cushion inside. A small book that's wrapped in a simple pinkish cover appears, its cover smooth to touch. This must be Akemi's diary, and to think it is hidden inside her pillow all along. I grin from ear to ear, Akemi's elegant face twisted into a victorious smirk.

I immediately sit down on the bed and begin reading her diary. The entries include the date, but I'm not familiar with their month names. At least they include the years that we use in the kingdom. The first entry in the journal dates back nearly 3 years ago. If I'm not mistaken, the first beastmen sighting in our territory was at least 5 years ago, but they had only boldly shown their presence in our kingdom these past couple of years. Perhaps Akemi started this diary after she and the other beastmen settle in Thresford? I begin to read her first entry.

12th day of the moon of the Hare, year 696 of the Human calendar

I have decided to write a journal to mark the beginning of our new life. And since I intend to continue this journal for years to come, I borrow and include the Human calendar on the date. We don't really have that kind of concept, after all.

5 moons has passed after the start of the Great Migration, and we have decided to settle at the edge of human territory, near a human town called Thresford. We have been trying to build a good relationship with them for the past year before we started our migration, and so far they were quite receptive towards us. However, they don't let us enter their town, for fearing that we would take over their land. So, we decided to set up camp just outside the town. At the time of writing, only a few of us still left behind en route to this place, and I hope our migration will be completed before the rainy season comes. The road will be very difficult to traverse once it starts, and I fear they will be stranded midway.

I probably won't write everyday, I am not much of a writer and busy for most of the days. But I'll make sure to add an entry if there are important things happening.

__

Hmm, interesting... So the people in Thresford used to have some sense and was wary of these beastmen. I wonder what changed their attitude, perhaps Akemi wrote it down in further entries. I should-

"Priestess, may I come in?"

A voice that comes from behind the door interrupts me suddenly. It's a male voice this time, so it's definitely not Iris. I close the diary, hiding it under the pillow for now.

"Who is it?"

I ask, keeping my voice level. I don't know who else is working with Akemi in the shrine, and I don't really know how she usually treat them, so I need to be as neutral as possible until I can know more by reading through the diary.

"I-it's me, Naoki"

A timid voice replies, accompanied with a fidgeting silhouette on the door. I don't notice any confusion in his voice unlike when Iris replied, so this one is either new or he might be more naive than Iris. But that name, I feel like Naomi mentioned it yesterday.

"Come in, Naoki"

After the words leave my lips, the boy slides the door open and enters the room. He has short brown hair and black horns protruding on the side of his head. His ears are inhuman, looking like a cow's but covered with more fur, dropping down under his horns. His purple eyes dart around, seemingly trying to avoid eye contact with me. I look down and notice that his feet end in human-looking feet instead of hooves.

"H-how are you feeling, Priestess? I heard from miss Iris that you bumped your head"

Naoki bows to me, and he keeps his eyes looking downwards. The young bull looks to be in his late teen, if he were a human. He's rather short and lean, but I can see well defined muscles on his arms. It's perhaps a common trait of his kind, I have heard stories of how strong these bull beastmen can be. Naoki is wearing a simple black shirt and grey trousers, and I honestly expected something more unique based on Akemi's and Iris' clothes.

"I am well, thanks for asking. It's nothing serious, I think"

"Ehm, o-okay then... Are you done with your breakfast? I can clean up if you are"

"I am, thank you. Where's Iris, by the way?"

"I saw her still cleaning the courtyard just now. She told me to pick up your dishes"

"I see... And the others?"

"Others? Um, who are you referring to, Priestess?" Naoki answered confusedly.

Well, it seems there are only three of them in the shrine. That's convenient, I don't have to deal with a lot of people and pretend I know all of them well. Moreover, Iris is currently busy with her tasks, so I can do my thing without worrying that she'll interrupt me. Maybe it's a good time for me to interrogate this boy and find some crucial info. He seems to be quite naive and easier to fool than Iris.

"Anyway, I'll take the dishes and get going then..."

Naoki, in the meantime, gathers the tray and dishes next to the matrass and turns to leave. I must not let him!